COUNTY VOTERS RENEW HALF-CENT SALES TAX FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
On Tuesday, April 6th, Cole County voters strongly supported renewing the half-cent sales tax proposal for capital improvements. 79% of voters were in favor and the funds from this important sales tax allow for the continued growth by funding road and bridge projects, aid to smaller communities within the county, and facilities and equipment improvements.
JEFFERSON CITY COUNCIL ELECTION HELD
On Tuesday, April 6th, Jefferson City voters elected five of the ten City Council seats. The Elections winners include:
Ward 1: David Kemna (Incumbent)
Ward 2: Laura Ward (Incumbent)
Ward 3: Scott Spencer
Ward 4: Derek Spicer
Ward 5: Mark Schreiber (Incumbent)
GOVERNOR EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19
On March 26, Governor Parson signed Executive Order 21-07 extending the state of emergency in Missouri through Aug. 31, 2021, to help accelerate COVID-19 recovery. The state of emergency extension will allow the state continued flexibility in providing resources and easing regulatory burdens to further assist Missouri’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. It also allows for continued utilization of the Missouri National Guard and federal funding for COVID-19 response efforts.
Governor Parson initially declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020. Since then, nearly 600 state statutes and regulations have been waived or suspended to increase efficiency and effectiveness in responding to COVID-19. His Executive Order keeps many of the previous measures in place, including those related to telemedicine, motor carrier limitations, the sale of unprepared foods by restaurants, and remote notary access for certain legal documents such as estate planning. The Governor’s Office will continue to work with state agencies to identify regulations that can be permanently eliminated or streamlined moving forward.
HOUSE BILL AIMS TO ADOPT SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE
House Bill 489 (Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Dardenne Prairie) adopts the “International Swimming Pool and Spa Code” as it existed on May 1, 2020 and promulgated by the International Code Council, as the county and municipal swimming pool and spa code for the state. The code applies to all construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, and repair of swimming pools and spas in any county or municipality that elects to regulate pools and spas. Counties and municipalities are authorized to establish procedures for the administration and enforcement of the pool and spa code, and are authorized to adopt local amendments to the code or amendments made by the International Code Council. The House Special Committee on Small Business held an executive session on March 30 where House Committee Substitute for HB 489 was voted do pass by a vote of 13-4. The substitute ensures the legislation applies to the entire state of Missouri and not just certain class of cities.